WAEC Past Questions

WAEC Commerce 2024
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2024 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

What is the main purpose of establishing a business?

A. To provide employment
B. To maximize profit
C. To regulate trade
D. To control prices
Explanation

The primary objective of establishing a business is to maximize profit through efficient production and sales, though secondary goals like employment may arise; regulation and price control are governmental functions.

2
Question 2 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a characteristic of a private limited company?

A. Unlimited liability
B. Restricted share transfer
C. Public share issuance
D. Single ownership
Explanation

Private limited companies restrict share transfers to maintain control among members, unlike public companies that freely issue shares to the public; liability is limited, and ownership can be multiple.

3
Question 3 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

The document that outlines the objectives of a company is called?

A. Certificate of Incorporation
B. Articles of Association
C. Memorandum of Association
D. Prospectus
Explanation

The Memorandum of Association defines the company's scope, objectives, and powers, serving as its constitution; Articles govern internal management, Prospectus invites public subscriptions.

4
Question 4 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a source of short-term finance?

A. Debentures
B. Bank overdraft
C. Share capital
D. Retained earnings
Explanation

Bank overdraft allows temporary excess withdrawal up to a limit, repaid quickly, ideal for short-term needs; debentures/shares are long-term, retained earnings internal.

5
Question 5 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

The process of dividing a market into distinct groups of buyers is known as?

A. Market segmentation
B. Market research
C. Product differentiation
D. Advertising
Explanation

Market segmentation identifies buyer groups by demographics, needs, etc., for targeted strategies; research gathers data, differentiation distinguishes products, advertising promotes.

6
Question 6 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a function of a commercial bank?

A. Issuing currency
B. Accepting deposits
C. Regulating monetary policy
D. Printing money
Explanation

Commercial banks accept deposits from customers, offering safety and interest; currency issuance/printing is central bank, policy regulation central bank.

7
Question 7 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

A document used to request payment for goods supplied is called?

A. Quotation
B. Invoice
C. Receipt
D. Waybill
Explanation

An invoice details goods supplied, quantities, prices, and payment terms, requesting settlement; quotation estimates cost, receipt acknowledges payment, waybill tracks shipment.

8
Question 8 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a feature of a perfect market?

A. Few sellers
B. Product differentiation
C. Many buyers and sellers
D. Barriers to entry
Explanation

Perfect (ideal) markets have numerous buyers/sellers, none influencing price (price takers); no differentiation, free entry/exit.

9
Question 9 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

The term “FOB” in international trade means?

A. Free on Board
B. Freight on Board
C. Free of Bargain
D. Freight and Bargain
Explanation

FOB specifies seller delivers goods on board ship at port of shipment, buyer assumes risk/cost thereafter; standard Incoterm.

10
Question 10 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a function of a retailer?

A. Bulk buying
B. Financing producers
C. Selling in small quantities
D. Warehousing goods
Explanation

Retailers break bulk, selling small units to consumers; wholesalers buy in bulk/warehouse, producers finance themselves.

11
Question 11 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

A business owned and controlled by the government is called?

A. Partnership
B. Public corporation
C. Cooperative society
D. Sole proprietorship
Explanation

Public corporations (statutory) are government-established/owned for public service (e.g., NNPC), unlike private partnerships/cooperatives.

12
Question 12 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a disadvantage of advertising?

A. Increases sales
B. Creates product awareness
C. High cost
D. Improves product quality
Explanation

Advertising incurs high costs (media, production), potentially raising prices; benefits include sales/awareness, but not quality improvement.

13
Question 13 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

The body responsible for regulating the stock exchange in Nigeria is?

A. CBN
B. SEC
C. NAFDAC
D. NDLEA
Explanation

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) oversees capital market, ensuring fair trading; CBN monetary, NAFDAC drugs, NDLEA narcotics.

14
Question 14 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a feature of a credit card?

A. Direct deduction from account
B. Allows borrowing up to a limit
C. No interest charged
D. No need for a bank account
Explanation

Credit cards provide revolving credit up to a limit, repayable with interest if not cleared; unlike debit (direct deduction), interest charged, requires account.

15
Question 15 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

The process of transporting goods from one place to another is called?

A. Warehousing
B. Distribution
C. Marketing
D. Production
Explanation

Distribution involves moving goods from producers to consumers via transport channels; warehousing storage, marketing promotion, production making.

16
Question 16 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a type of marine insurance?

A. Hull insurance
B. Fire insurance
C. Life insurance
D. Health insurance
Explanation

Hull insurance covers ship/vessel damage; marine insures sea risks, unlike fire (property), life/health (personal).

17
Question 17 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

A written agreement between partners is known as?

A. Partnership deed
B. Memorandum of Association
C. Articles of Association
D. Certificate of Incorporation
Explanation

Partnership deed outlines terms, capital, profit sharing, duties; company docs for incorporated entities.

18
Question 18 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a characteristic of a cooperative society?

A. Profit maximization
B. Limited liability
C. Equal voting rights
D. Public share issuance
Explanation

Cooperatives emphasize one-member-one-vote regardless of shares, democratic control; limited liability yes, but equal voting key, not profit max/public shares.

19
Question 19 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

The term used to describe goods bought for resale is?

A. Capital goods
B. Consumer goods
C. Commercial goods
D. Industrial goods
Explanation

Commercial goods (merchandise) purchased by traders for resale with profit; capital for production, consumer end-use, industrial manufacturing.

20
Question 20 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a function of a bill of lading?

A. Proof of payment
B. Evidence of contract of carriage
C. Request for goods
D. Acknowledgment of storage
Explanation

Bill of lading serves as receipt, evidence of carriage contract, and document of title for goods in transit.

21
Question 21 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

The main objective of a chamber of commerce is to?

A. Promote trade and industry
B. Regulate prices
C. Issue currency
D. Provide loans
Explanation

Chambers represent businesses, lobbying for favorable policies, networking, promoting trade; not regulatory/lending.

22
Question 22 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a feature of a departmental store?

A. Sells one type of product
B. Operates in multiple locations
C. Offers a variety of goods
D. Sells in small quantities only
Explanation

Departmental stores offer diverse goods (clothing, electronics) under one roof, departments; not single product/multiple locations like chains.

23
Question 23 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

A document that confirms payment for goods purchased is called?

A. Invoice
B. Receipt
C. Quotation
D. Delivery note
Explanation

Receipt acknowledges payment received; invoice requests payment, quotation estimates, delivery note confirms dispatch.

24
Question 24 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a function of the money market?

A. Providing long-term loans
B. Trading in securities
C. Providing short-term funds
D. Issuing shares
Explanation

Money market deals in short-term instruments (e.g., treasury bills <1 year) for liquidity; capital market long-term.

25
Question 25 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

The term “branding” refers to?

A. Packaging a product
B. Giving a product a distinct identity
C. Setting a product price
D. Distributing a product
Explanation

Branding creates unique name/logo/image to differentiate, build loyalty; packaging protects, pricing sets value, distribution channels.

26
Question 26 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a type of business risk?

A. Financial risk
B. Social risk
C. Political risk
D. Environmental risk
Explanation

Political risk (e.g., policy changes, instability) affects operations/profits; all are risks, but political specific to government actions.

27
Question 27 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

A market where securities are bought and sold is called?

A. Money market
B. Capital market
C. Commodity market
D. Retail market
Explanation

Capital market trades long-term securities (stocks, bonds) for investment; money short-term, commodity physical goods.

28
Question 28 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a function of a clearing house?

A. Issuing currency
B. Settling transactions between banks
C. Providing loans
D. Regulating stock markets
Explanation

Clearing houses facilitate interbank settlement, reducing counterparty risk in payments/securities; not issuance/lending/regulation.

29
Question 29 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

The term “carriage paid” means?

A. Buyer pays transport costs
B. Seller pays transport costs
C. Transport is free
D. Goods are delivered at no cost
Explanation

Carriage paid (CP) indicates seller covers transport to destination; buyer pays delivery.

30
Question 30 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a feature of a hypermarket?

A. Sells only luxury goods
B. Operates in small spaces
C. Combines supermarket and departmental store features
D. Sells only one product type
Explanation

Hypermarkets offer wide variety (groceries, apparel) in large spaces, combining self-service supermarket with departmental store.

31
Question 31 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

A document that authorizes the release of goods from a warehouse is?

A. Bill of lading
B. Warehouse warrant
C. Delivery note
D. Invoice
Explanation

Warehouse warrant (receipt) proves ownership, authorizes release upon presentation; bill of lading for shipping.

32
Question 32 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a disadvantage of a partnership?

A. Quick decision-making
B. Shared profits
C. Access to large capital
D. Unlimited liability
Explanation

Partners have unlimited liability, personal assets at risk for debts; quick decisions/shared capital advantages.

33
Question 33 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

The term used to describe goods sold at a reduced price is?

A. Discount
B. Markup
C. Margin
D. Profit
Explanation

Discount is price reduction to stimulate sales; markup added cost, margin difference, profit revenue minus cost.

34
Question 34 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a function of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council?

A. Regulating imports
B. Promoting export trade
C. Issuing import licenses
D. Controlling prices
Explanation

NEPC assists exporters with incentives, market info, to boost non-oil exports; imports regulated by customs.

35
Question 35 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

A business that sells services rather than physical goods is part of the?

A. Primary industry
B. Secondary industry
C. Tertiary industry
D. Extractive industry
Explanation

Tertiary sector provides services (banking, transport); primary extraction, secondary manufacturing.

36
Question 36 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a type of trade promotion?

A. Advertising
B. Sales discount
C. Public relations
D. Personal selling
Explanation

Trade promotions target intermediaries (e.g., discounts, allowances); advertising/PR/selling consumer-focused.

37
Question 37 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

The term “capital employed” refers to?

A. Total assets minus liabilities
B. Total revenue
C. Total expenses
D. Total profit
Explanation

Capital employed = total assets - current liabilities (or fixed + working capital), used in ROI calculations.

38
Question 38 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a feature of a public corporation?

A. Profit maximization
B. Government ownership
C. Limited liability for owners
D. Private share issuance
Explanation

Public corporations are fully government-owned/controlled for public welfare, not private profit/shares.

39
Question 39 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

A document used to inform a buyer of goods dispatched is called?

A. Advice note
B. Invoice
C. Quotation
D. Receipt
Explanation

Advice note details dispatched goods (quantities, description) pre-invoice; confirms shipment.

40
Question 40 of 40
WAEC · Commerce · 2024

Which of the following is a function of the marketing mix?

A. Recruiting staff
B. Setting product price
C. Preparing financial statements
D. Managing production
Explanation

Marketing mix (4Ps) includes pricing strategy to balance costs, demand, competition for profitability.

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